The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-19

"How-dy, Miss Perkins ?" he said.
"Where's Minnie ?"
Minerva reappeared, just little
pale and shadowy around the eyes.
"Here | am, father" she said
gently "tea is ready. ! had some
thing to do, I'd most forgotten"
Miss Perkins went away just after
tea. She did not stop to "help Ner-
vie do the dishes,' as usual. 1t was
getting dark, and had Il long walk,
she suddenly remembered.
Minerva went about her work
quite unassisted. Her father was
due at some village meeting, and SO
presently she was left alone in the
house.
A terrible sense of depression fell
upon her. She wondered if Jason
Hawkes. were coming. She was
quite prepared. She had everything
ready to return to him-his letters
and the little pearl ring hehad given
her. Everything was wrapped Sc
curely I; the package was too heavy
for her pocket-quite too heavy.
She wondered if he would come.
And how should she feel after she
had given all back too him and said
to him that they had better part ?
She hardly knew. Oh, life wds hard
and bitter! Jason had loved her
she knew he had loved her-until
that woman had come to the village
the designing widow, as Miss Per-
kins had said. Perhaps Miss Per-
kins was right
Minerva finished her work and
went to sit on the porch. The air
was heavy with the scent Of rose and
honeysuckle. And she felt her
heart within her as cold as a stone.
She had sat there less than half
an hour when the gate opened and
a form familiar came swiftly up the
walk. Her cold heart seemed for a
moment to stand still. Then il
throbbed painfully.
"GOod evening" she answered
very quietly to his good evening
But she didn't give him her hand.
The rest all came about very swift
ly.
o pride, for thy stern sake how
many hearts are wrung!
He should never know that sh,
I had learned his treachery. Ht
. should simply believe she did no
care for him. "Hereare yourlet
! and the ring" she said swiftly glad
that darkness vailed her palllor.
Jason Hawkes. received them ii
bitter silence.
Gas you choose, then, coquette,
he muttered. and, turning strodC
, away.
Minerva Woodtord tossed wake
fully upon her bed that night. II
was the first great trouble of herlile
First troubles are so bitter.
} Everything required to her-cvery
thing that Miss Perkins, had told her
concerning Mrs. Darrell. The wild
ow was young and pretty. Why
should Jason care for her? She
had come from the city and was
bright with city ways and city talk.
She seemed to have money in abun-
: dance. Oh, it was cruel The
whole thing was cruel
Minerva fell asleep only toward
the dawn. She rose palean heavy
eyed for the morning, yet strong in
the intention of concealing her grief.
The summer day dragged heavily
toward noon, more heavily after.
Time was so long, so long. 1t SEEM
ed century since Miss Perkins had
been there with her tale of Jason
HAWKES. devotion to the Young
widow. But the dream was over.
1t was Minerals task to forget the
handsome face that had been so dear
to her.
Probably he would leave the vii
lage when he had married the
widow.
Minerva's eyes grew dim She felt
a choking sensation and stepped to
the open door, hoping the soft sum
mer breeze would cool her hot fore
head.
As she stood there she suddenly
heard sharp cry of distress, then
something tore past in the road.
beating up the yellow dust in blind
ing clouds.
"A runaway she said, and her
heart seemed to cease heating for an
instant
She ran down the path and out
into the road. The horses had DASH
ed on, but somethingof Il wreck was
perceptible short distance of.